Perform Through Adversity

Perform Through Adversity
Please Note:The practice is designed to bring value across multiple age and skill levels at the high school & collegiate levels. You can use this as a foundation to build and develop your own practice. With that being said, we highly encourage you to adjust the drills based on your team’s age and skill levels. Lacrosse Drive should always be used as a starting point — you can make drills easier or harder by changing the constraints.	At the High School and Collegiate levels, systems should live within the principles. Sets and formations provide structure and spacing, while the underlying principles ensure the team stays balanced, connected, and able to play together as one unit.	Activities Line Drills with Escapes Rodeo Groundballs Tampa Clearing Drill & Game Offensive Skill Session 3v2 Defensive Progressions with Jon Torpey 54 4v4 Small Ball Game Man Up and Man Down 6v6 Situational Scrimmage
Line Drills with Escapes - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
A great drill to build off traditional line drills with! Set Up Put players in lines about 15-20 away from each other. Start the ball with a pass, once that player goes and passes to the next teammate in line, they will play token/guided defense. The player with the ball will add in some form of escape. In this drill we will work on 3 different escapes Hitch – After you catch the ball, get loaded for a shot and then hitch around defender Roll Away – Roll away from the defender, working on stick protection Fakes – Have players throw quick pump fakes before getting around defende Coaching Points and Principles Progression Add different escapes like face and split dodges Have the defender player tougher defense		Try to get the pass off right away, after you get around defender Execution of the escapes including stick protection and control Make good long passes to your teammates
Rodeo Groundballs - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
Make a competition out of it, and Losing team needs 3 straight wins after loss to tie		Take 1 ball away – 4 lines w/ 3 balls – 1 player will have to battle to win the last GB, and can play defense and try to take away from another player with a ball Take 2 balls away – 4 lines 2/ 2 balls – 2 players will have to battle to win GB, and can play defense and try to take away from another player with a ball
Tampa Clearing Drill & Game - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
This drill will emphasize spacing, ball movement, and transition principles when clearing the ball. Set Up Put 3 players of each team in every quarter part of the field. This is a 12v12 + goalies game. Start the ball with the goalie, and they play 4v3 keep away. After the 3rd completed pass, the last player with the ball carries it to the next quarter. They play 4v3 until 3 passes are made. Continue this until the team with the ball, advances to their offensive end, and they play 4v3 to the goal, and try to score. If there is a turnover or interception during the clearing, start a new ball with the opposite team. Coach can award 1 point for a team that successfully clears the ball, and award 1 point extra if they score. Principles and Coaching Points		Open field spacing in transition. Communication, call for the ball Riding, disrupt player with the ball. Clearing!!
Offensive Skill Session - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
A high volume shooting drill that works great on team offense if you play a lot of 2-player game or motion offense Set Up Put 2 lines on the crease, and 1 line on each high wing. The ball starts with with the high wing players dodging the alley, and the crease players popping up into space. The dodgers can roll away or for a quicker pass option use a QB pass or Lever Pass to transfer. The pop player should catch it loaded ready to shoot Coaching Point & Principles		Make a clean pass, work on those different pass styles to work on different ways to deliver the ball Catch it loaded, try to get the ball in and out of the stick as quick as you can while maintaining a hard shot
3v2 Defensive Progressions with Jon Torpey - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
A progression drill that works on defensive approaches and stickwork Set Up Put 3 Players in the shape of a triangle, on GLE and above, and add 2 defenders inside. The offense will pass the ball around and the defense is focused on sliding to ball and recovering to the crease. The offense can hold the ball for 1-2 seconds to allow the defense to get set. Speed up as the players play. There are 2 progressions here and focus points for the defense. Progression 1: No Skips Progression 2: Add in Skips Coaching Points & Principles		Defense approaching ball, should have stick up towards the head of the offensive players stick, not hanging low Defense recovering top the crease, always have stick up and in passing lanes. This will be vital to take away the skips
54 - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
Play with a short clock and needing a transtition goal. Keep score for each team, example Only :20 remaining.		Play fast! Get the ball down the alley and through X Find the 2v1 Defense communicate and get into a diamond set
4v4 Small Ball Game - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
Have one team Start down 2–0		Compete! Great game to keep score and compete Game IQ Offensively – playing in small spaces & implementing the 2 man game. Defense – Play with pressure, communicate Toughness! this drill will be highly competitive and players must be able to play fast and tough
Man Up and Man Down	Set Up	Focus Points

6v6 Situational Scrimmage - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
Defense needs to take the ball away, 1 minute left on clock and down by 1. Play full field		Understand the score, time, possession, and personnel before play begins. Short-time EMO/MDD: Offense plays with urgency without forcing; defense protects the middle and understands when it must pressure. Kill the clock: Value possession, use the entire field, support the ball, and recognize when attacking the cage is unnecessary. Defense vs. keep-away: Communicate pressure, identify when to double, rotate behind the double, and anticipate the next pass. Need-a-goal offense: Play with urgency, attack favorable matchups, move the ball quickly, and understand how much time is available. Emphasize smart substitutions and timeout awareness when appropriate.

Jump to a Section

Line Drills with Escapes
Rodeo Groundballs
Tampa Clearing Drill & Game
Offensive Skill Session
3v2 Defensive Progressions with Jon Torpey
54
4v4 Small Ball Game
Man Up and Man Down
6v6 Situational Scrimmage

Please Note:The practice is designed to bring value across multiple age and skill levels at the high school & collegiate levels. You can use this as a foundation to build and develop your own practice. With that being said, we highly encourage you to adjust the drills based on your team’s age and skill levels. Lacrosse Drive should always be used as a starting point — you can make drills easier or harder by changing the constraints.

At the High School and Collegiate levels, systems should live within the principles. Sets and formations provide structure and spacing, while the underlying principles ensure the team stays balanced, connected, and able to play together as one unit.

*If you don’t have the time for pre-practice, you can incorporate those skill session into practice

To make a drill easier, you might Increase the playing area, reduce the number of defenders or rules, add time or space to make decisions

To make a drill harder, you might: Shrink the field or add boundaries, add defenders or touch restrictions (e.g., “Play A gets 2 points for an assist”), or Limit time or space to force faster decisions

Small adjustments to field size, player numbers, and rules can significantly change the challenge level while maintaining the same core learning goal.

Line Drills with Escapes

Set Up

Put players in lines about 15-20 away from each other. Start the ball with a pass, once that player goes and passes to the next teammate in line, they will play token/guided defense. The player with the ball will add in some form of escape. In this drill we will work on 3 different escapes

Hitch – After you catch the ball, get loaded for a shot and then hitch around defender
Roll Away – Roll away from the defender, working on stick protection
Fakes – Have players throw quick pump fakes before getting around defende

Coaching Points and Principles

Try to get the pass off right away, after you get around defender
Execution of the escapes including stick protection and control
Make good long passes to your teammates

Progression

Add different escapes like face and split dodges
Have the defender player tougher defense

Tags

Attack Ball Control & Cradling Defense Dodging & Escapes Guided - Token Opponent High School Intermediate Men’s Lacrosse Midfield Passing Team Passing U14

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Rodeo Groundballs

Make a competition out of it, and Losing team needs 3 straight wins after loss to tie

Set Up

Put your players in 3-5 lines, depending on your roster/group size. Every line has a ball, and on whistle, the first player in every line rolls their ball out about 10 yards, on an angle (Not right in front of themselves)

Every player must go find a ball to pick up, and either throw or carry back to their next teammate in line.

Progressions

Take 1 ball away – 4 lines w/ 3 balls – 1 player will have to battle to win the last GB, and can play defense and try to take away from another player with a ball
Take 2 balls away – 4 lines 2/ 2 balls – 2 players will have to battle to win GB, and can play defense and try to take away from another player with a ball

Coaching Points & Principles

Ground balls – Get low and accelerate through
Spacial Awareness – Find a ball and attack it before another player gets there

Tags

Beginner College Foundational Skills Ground Ball Battles Ground Balls High School Intermediate Men’s Lacrosse Small Area Games

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Tampa Clearing Drill & Game

Set Up

Put 3 players of each team in every quarter part of the field. This is a 12v12 + goalies game. Start the ball with the goalie, and they play 4v3 keep away. After the 3rd completed pass, the last player with the ball carries it to the next quarter. They play 4v3 until 3 passes are made. Continue this until the team with the ball, advances to their offensive end, and they play 4v3 to the goal, and try to score. If there is a turnover or interception during the clearing, start a new ball with the opposite team. Coach can award 1 point for a team that successfully clears the ball, and award 1 point extra if they score.

Principles and Coaching Points

Open field spacing in transition.
Communication, call for the ball
Riding, disrupt player with the ball.
Clearing!!

Tags

Advanced Anticipation & Recognition College Communication Game - Live Play High School Lacrosse IQ Men’s Lacrosse Riding and Clearing Team Passing Transition

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Offensive Skill Session

Set Up

Put 2 lines on the crease, and 1 line on each high wing. The ball starts with with the high wing players dodging the alley, and the crease players popping up into space. The dodgers can roll away or for a quicker pass option use a QB pass or Lever Pass to transfer. The pop player should catch it loaded ready to shoot

Coaching Point & Principles

Make a clean pass, work on those different pass styles to work on different ways to deliver the ball
Catch it loaded, try to get the ball in and out of the stick as quick as you can while maintaining a hard shot

Tags

2-Player Game Advanced Attack Block - On Air (no opponent)College Foundational Skills High School Intermediate Men’s Lacrosse Midfield Shooting Step Down Shooting Team Shooting Team Systems & Conceptual Play U14

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3v2 Defensive Progressions with Jon Torpey

Set Up

Put 3 Players in the shape of a triangle, on GLE and above, and add 2 defenders inside. The offense will pass the ball around and the defense is focused on sliding to ball and recovering to the crease. The offense can hold the ball for 1-2 seconds to allow the defense to get set. Speed up as the players play. There are 2 progressions here and focus points for the defense.

Progression 1: No Skips

Progression 2: Add in Skips

Coaching Points & Principles

Defense approaching ball, should have stick up towards the head of the offensive players stick, not hanging low
Defense recovering top the crease, always have stick up and in passing lanes. This will be vital to take away the skips

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Tags

3v2 Advanced Block - On Air (no opponent)College Communication Decision Making Defense Defensive Positioning & Footwork Defensive Stick & Body Contact Game - Live Play High School Intermediate Lacrosse IQ Men’s Lacrosse Passing U14

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54 Play with a short clock and needing a transtition goal. Keep score for each team, example Only :20 remaining.

Summary

his transition drill will keep practice uptempo with constant unsettled 5 on 4’s. This is a great drill to use in the middle of practice as a warm up before an inter squad scrimmage.

Tags

5v4 Advanced College Game - Live Play High School Intermediate Lacrosse IQ Men’s Lacrosse Off Ball Defensive Play Off Ball Offensive Play Offense Spacing Principles Team Systems & Conceptual Play Transition U14

SET UP

Put all the balls in both cages with the goalies. Put 3 Attack and 3 Defense on each offensive end. Split the midfielders up in half, and put 1 lines of each color on the box side of play. The play starts with a 5v4 scenario on end. Once there is a missed shot, save, or turnover, The goalie will put a new ball in play to go the other way. The goalie must outlet to a player in current field of play (not the new midfielder waiting). Send in one of the midfielders on defense, in to the hole, and play 5 on 4 until there is a goal, save, or turnover. Once the clearing team gets passed half field, the rinding midfielders are OUT.

PRINCIPLES & COACHING POINTS

Play fast!
Get the ball down the alley and through X
Find the 2v1
Defense communicate and get into a diamond set

PROGRESSIONS

– Send Opposite side midfielder in on defense

Tags

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4v4 Small Ball Game

Have one team Start down 2–0

Set Up

Bring the goals up to each restraining box creating a small sided game and split your group into two teams. On both ends, place 2 attack and 2 defense. To start the game, bring in two midfielders from each team and start the 4v4 game on one side. While they are playing 4v4, on the opposite end, add in 2 defensive midfielders who will be waiting for the gameplay to change direction. Once there is a goal, turnover, or dead ball deemed by coach, the defense will get the baulk up to the midfielders to bring down and play on opposite end. The defenders who have been waiting, will now play defense and the 2 midfielders who just finished playing offense, will return to the sideline. The Midfielders will play defense, then offense, and then they will be out. Attack and Defense can stay in for 2-3 minutes and then you can do wholesales changed depending on your personnel.

Coaching Points and Principles

Compete! Great game to keep score and compete
Game IQ
Offensively – playing in small spaces & implementing the 2 man game.
Defense – Play with pressure, communicate
Toughness! this drill will be highly competitive and players must be able to play fast and tough

Progressions

You can play a smaller sided game with same principles for younger players in U14-U10 ages

Tags

2-Player Game 4v4 Advanced College Communication Decision Making Game - Live Play High School Intermediate Lacrosse IQ Men’s Lacrosse Small Area Games Small Area Games Transition U14

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Man Up and Man Down

6v6 Situational Scrimmage

Defense needs to take the ball away, 1 minute left on clock and down by 1. Play full field

This drill puts players into real game situations where score, time, possession, and personnel dictate how they should play.

Set up

live 6v6 and choose a specific scenario before each possession, adjusting the clock, score, or numbers to create different problems—such as short-time EMO/MDD, protecting a lead, needing a goal, or killing the clock. Allow players to communicate and solve the situation with limited coaching, then quickly reset with a new scenario.

Coaching Points

Understand the score, time, possession, and personnel before play begins.
Short-time EMO/MDD: Offense plays with urgency without forcing; defense protects the middle and understands when it must pressure.
Kill the clock: Value possession, use the entire field, support the ball, and recognize when attacking the cage is unnecessary.
Defense vs. keep-away: Communicate pressure, identify when to double, rotate behind the double, and anticipate the next pass.
Need-a-goal offense: Play with urgency, attack favorable matchups, move the ball quickly, and understand how much time is available.
Emphasize smart substitutions and timeout awareness when appropriate.
Require players to communicate the situation to one another rather than relying on the coach.
Keep coaching windows short—let players make decisions, experience consequences, and adjust on the next possession.

Advanced Anticipation & Recognition Ball Control & Cradling College Decision Making Game - Live Play High School Intermediate Small Area Games Small Area Games Team Systems & Conceptual Play Transition U10 U12 U14

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